Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Dave Locher

Dave Locher

New member
I am getting ready to build a guitar with a 10-16" compound radius Warmoth neck. I had planned to use a wraparound bridge/tailpiece, but none of them that I am aware of have saddles that allow for height adjustment. Most of them have a 12" or 14" radius and for this neck I will need something more in the 16-18" radius range.

So...now I'm looking at hardtail strat-type bridges. It's a new world for me, since I've had nothing but TOMs and wraparounds for the past 30 years. The only thing I DO know for sure is I hate scraping the side of my hand on the little saddle adjusting screws that stick up out of strat bridge saddles.
I want a bride that allows for individual string height adjustment (like a Strat), so I can set the strings where they want to be for this neck
I would also like it to be able to adjust a bit high off of the body or mount it on a shim, since I still need the bridge/strings up away from the body to be comfortable to me. And most imporantly, I do NOT want any sharp metal edges or tiny little allen screws sticking up anywhere. I play with my hand resting on or near the bridge a LOT, and I palm mute a lot.

Any suggestions? So far I've come across the Babicz fixed bridge and the Schaller non-trem roller bridge. They both look promising, especially the Babicz, but they are pricey. Any other bridges I should be aware of before I start online shopping?

OR...can anyone tell me for sure of a wraparound tailpiece/bridge that has tall enough saddles to allow filing down to a 16-18" string radius??
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

If the screws stick up, grind them shorter. The trick is to hold them in a saddle while grinding the bottom down. The saddle holds the screw so you don't bugger the threads squeezing the screw tightly with pliers.

As far as matching the radius, any Strat-style bridge should be able to do it provided you have a workable neck angle.
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Agree, a hardtail Strat bridge would probably be easiest; I get what you mean by wanting a "high-up" bridge though so:

Unpopular but perhaps feasible: The Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridge gets flack, but it is comfortable, and they are typically higher off the guitar body. No scratchy screws as long as you adjust the saddles above the grub screw heads and raise the bridge posts to compensate... You can get graphite/notched saddles to avoid string-jumping, if you encounter it at all. I'd be curious to hear how one would perform on a hardtail/string-through setup, mounted solid/non-rocking. I'm pretty sure you can buy smaller diameter/non-rocking bridge cups from Mastery/Staytrem (or else use tape or fashion your own ferrules.)
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Not sure this fits the bill, but Schaller make something called the Hannes bridge. It looks hella smooth. Might be worth looking into?

https://www.schaller-electronic.com...ldquo.htm?ITServ=CY2c6b3254X159d7ac48cfXY3c1f



HANNES06_600.jpg





And babicz makes two bridges that are also inteded for strats without tremolos:

http://fullcontacthardware.com/fch-fixed-6-hardtail-original.htm

http://fullcontacthardware.com/fch-z-series-fixed-6-string-hardtail.htm
 
Last edited:
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

I think the guy who posted above you already mentioned that. The 3d6 is better value and one of the best bridges out there. Abm make good stuff and anything they sell will be top quality.
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

The Schaller and the Babicz are the ones I've already stumbled across.
Kramer Steen, is the "3d6" the Schaller? I do like the fact that string spacing is adjustable on that one.

So are these two companies' 4 models the main options to investigate?
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Dave Locher said:
The Schaller and the Babicz are the ones I've already stumbled across.
Click to expand...

Heh, yeah, sorry about that. Was so tired my eyes basically weren't working when I posted that :)
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

The obvious answer is to find the bridge that you like at the cost you like and if the screws stick up too far just cut them off. I've done that on quite a few builds with great success.

The Babicz is a great bridge, but be prepared for your wallet to feel much lighter after purchasing it.
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Let us know which one is the lucky one and how it works out for you. I'm really curious about how well all that aftermarket hardware actaully lives up to what it promises.
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

Coma said:
Let us know which one is the lucky one and how it works out for you. I'm really curious about how well all that aftermarket hardware actaully lives up to what it promises.
Click to expand...

I will be able to give general impressions, but since it will be a newly-built guitar I won't be able to say things like "it sounds brighter than bridge x" or "it does not sustain as well as bridge z"
 
Re: Most comfortable bridge with adjustable height saddles?

General impression > no impression.

If i ever manage to bring my LP back to life, its getting a Babicz
 
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